"What the fuck Flanagan you talking about killing my kid?"
"No you ass, I'm saying you have to cut her off one time, there's no weaning her, we're not talking about breaking someone of a bad habit, we're talking about a fucking killing machine that needs to be stopped. What's she gonna do, strap my kid onto her back and go out hunting? You two have no idea of what you spawned do you? Do you even understand what she is? She's stone cold, even I have a give a fuck meter, I think things through, weigh the options, try to find redeeming qualities at least before I off someone, not Mouth. She perceives a threat, she eliminates can you imagine some other kid fucking with ours? Let's say the kids are into sports and some kid tackles Shane junior on the field, Mouth would straight up off him and probably do the parents too."
"Don't you think that's a bit of an exaggeration?"
"Fuck you Alphonso, you know damn well it isn't, she's locked into her fucking head, all kidding aside, I play it easy with her, but I can see what not even she sees, she's locked into her fucking head and I have to find the key. I have some ideas, but you three fucks stay out of it...."
"What do you mean locked into her head?"
"I mean that something happened in her childhood that set the precedent for all this, somehow she's gotten it into her head that killing is her only chance at survival, it's them or her, she perceives a threat, she removes that threat. Permanently. Now unless you know what the fuck that is, I'll thank you three to leave me to deal with my woman how I see fit."
"Boy you sure do have balls I'll give you that."
"Rossi, if you weren't her father I would've already capped your ass."
Why that should make the three yentas howl with laughter was beyond me, but then again I was surrounded by crazy ass people, I should get used to it. Speaking of which I better go see what the mouthy one was up to.
Chapter 14
"Mouth what the fuck are you watching, oh hell no, turn that shit off you do not need any ideas."
"Touch it and die Luciano, you feeling lucky?"
Fuck now she's dirty Harry; I ignored her ass and turned the TV off, she did not need to be watching the Godfather, I think she was spoon fed that shit as a toddler.
We've been moved in for two weeks, the situation in Chi town had been taken care of, the three old fucks had been there and back since then, now Mouth and I were supposed to go look over the operation there, Rossi had supposedly cleaned up his shit and I was getting my shit done, mouth hadn't offed anyone in a while that I know of, but I had my guys on her ass like white on rice, these days she went no farther than my mom's next door or to one of the girls.' She seemed to be doing just fine at the compound for all the griping she'd done in the beginning, pain in the ass.
"I'm hungry feed me."
Yeah that's another thing, she's milking this pregnancy shit for all it's worth, what a racket, all hours of the day it's feed me thus and get me that; not that I mind though, I get a kick out of it, I also love fucking her knowing my kid is in there plus she's horny as fuck too.
"What do you want to eat mama?"
"Fried chicken."
"You're not eating fried chicken for breakfast mouth, get the fuck outta here."
She threw a pillow at my head and turned her movie back on. "Pie will make me some if I ask."
That's true, my mom's new kick is spoiling the fuck out of my girl, in fact it seemed like since news of the baby got out and about everyone was trying to spoil her little ass.
"Fruit you're having fruit and some oatmeal."
"I'm not eating no stinking oatmeal Cochise, now get me the colonel."
"Arianna, cut the shit, who the fuck is at the door now?"
"Probably dad and uncle Al."
"The fuck they want?"
"Be nice."
The two old reprobates came through the door.
"Where's the other one?" I'd grown accustomed to seeing Poppy with them everywhere now.
"Talking to your dad, we need to talk Flanagan."
"Not here." I looked at Mouth, she wasn't allowed around any business talk, she got too many fucking ideas so it was best not to tempt her.
"Read your bride magazine babe."
The wedding was in the works, mom and the girls were all over it, Mouth was playing neutral but that was okay, I understood that it was her way of safe guarding herself, she'd show up and say her I do but until the deed was done my little scared girl was going to pretend indifference.
"Ok what's the problem now?" We'd made it to my office with the doors closed.
"You have a congressman that's not too happy with the new order of things, he's making waves, your Poppy thinks we can work things out, I think the guy just wants more money, but it's been my experience that these fucking snakes never stop, they just keep coming back."
"So what're you saying Rossi?"
"I'm saying I've taken care of my end of things you and Ari just have to take the helm, there will be no backlash I made sure of it, everything is legit right across the board on my end, my little grand baby will be inheriting a legit operation, we've taken care of everything here along with your Poppy, all but this one guy."
"Don't even think about mentioning this shit to Mouth, she'd have his ass pinned to a wall somewhere before I can even blink."
They exchanged a look between them.
"Don't even think about it you fucks, I'll have your asses."
"We didn't sat anything."
"Mouth get the hell away from that damn door." I just knew she was listening in to this conversation.
"Who says I'm listening mob boy?" I just rolled my eyes at her bullshit.
"If I see on the news a congressman's been offed I'll tan your ass, no joke."
She stomped back into the other room fussing.
"And cut that shit out, no stomping until after the baby comes.
Chapter 15
"Fuck, shit, fuck, fuck."
"Mouth what the fuck? She'd scared me awake with her screaming, there were torn books and magazines all over the place and her pillow was a feathery mess on the floor.
"What's gong on?"
"I can't do this shit, it's driving me fucking crazy."
"What's driving you crazy babe?"
"All this wedding shit, I'm buried under tulle and organza and what the fuck...."
"Buried, who's buried, who'd you ice now Mouth?" Why that should cause crazy lady to try to brain me with a lamp is anybody's guess but that's what I get for sleeping with a nut job.
"Nobody's been buried you ass, it's material, it's what they make wedding dresses out of. I can't, I just....arrgggghhhhhhh....." I was off the bed and pulling her into me before she could pull her hair out at the roots.
"Stop baby, what's going on?" I tried talking over her screams and pulling her hands out of her hair.
"Mommy, I want my mommy."
"What the fuck!" I took us both down to the floor when she started shaking hard; I didn't know what was going on here but I knew it wasn't good. My first instinct was to get my father here quick so I scooted over to the nigh stand with her clutched in my arms and got my phone.
"Dad something's going on with Mouth...she just started screaming and pulling her fucking hair now she's screaming for her mom but I'm pretty sure her mom's dead."
"I'll be right there son just keep holding her." I hung up the phone and wrapped both arms around her.
"It's okay baby, help's on the way."
My spitfire girl curled into me and scared the fuck outta me.
"Mama, mama." She kept up a moaning chant for her mother that broke my fucking heart; by the time dad arrived I was ready to throw myself off the fucking roof.
"Let me have a look son."
I got up with her in my arms and laid her on the bed, dad checked her over while I watched.
"I think she's in some kind of shock, what happened?"
"I don't know we were asleep and she woke me up with her screams, the room was a mess and she was talking about the
wedding and screaming for her mother." Now I was the one pulling on my hair.
"Let her rest son, I'm going to give her something mild, we have to think about the baby. Maybe with everything happening so fast and all at once she's had some sort of break." Dad fussed around her for a bit more before leaving me alone with her; I stood there and watched her chest rise and fall with every breath my mind in a daze. What the fuck just happened? Obviously it has something to do with her mother who come to think of it I don't really know all that much about, all I know is that she's gone as in dead but that's about it; somehow I always just assumed that she'd been sick, why I never dug deeper I don't know I just never thought of it. It could be because Arianna never made an issue of it, that was obviously a huge mistake on my part something I was gonna have to get to the bottom of.
I was tempted to call her father and uncle but squashed the impulse, I needed to be with her right now and I didn't need her overhearing what I might have to say to those two fucks. I laid down next to her and eased her into my arms, she drew in one long deep breath her lips moved into a Cupid bow pout and she settled down again. My sweet baby, what the fuck had set her off?
I needed to throw a punch but at what? There wasn't any physical threat, according to dad something might've broke in her head how do I fight that shit? I'm not going to get too worried about it, whatever it is I'm sure we can beat it together I won't settle for anything less; besides she's too fucking strong to lose her mind.
I can't even think about that shit right now, we have a baby coming, a wedding to plan, the future to look forward to no way was I losing her to whatever the fuck is in her head.
I don't know how long we laid there with me tracking her heartbeats, watching her face for any sign that she was in distress, but so far she seemed okay, whatever dad had given her had calmed her down. I was a little worried for my kid but there wasn't much I could do at this point other than look after both of them.
"Shane?"
"Yeah baby I'm right here how're you feeling?" I pulled her up higher on my chest so I could see into her eyes; still a little clouded over but my baby was in there.
"What happened?" She looked around at the room confused.
"Uh babe, do you remember anything from this morning?" She looked a little lost there for a minute before rubbing her temple as if in pain.
"I have a terrible headache but that's about it was I sick? I feel like I was sick."
Shit, dad didn't leave any instructions on how to handle these kinds of questions, I mean am I supposed to tell her that she'd had a psychotic break or some shit or play it off like it was nothing major? I'm not too comfortable with the idea of lying to her so I went with the truth.
"You had a slight episode baby."
"Episode, what episode, what are you talking about?"
"Well I woke up to you screaming for your mom and tearing the room apart."
"What, my mom, what about my......?" She clutched her head as it fell to my chest; Fuck this shit, her body started trembling hard as fuck so I wrapped us both up in the covers and held on tight, scared out of my fucking mind again. When she started moaning and rocking back and forth on my chest I felt tears in my eyes.
"No, no, no, no, no, come on baby come back." I kept repeating that over and over again.
"I love you Mouth you hear me, I love you more than anything in this world, do you know before I met you I never thought there was a woman out there for me, never thought I'd find my perfect match but you're it, my perfect mate; you're the best thing to ever happen to me do you know that? As long as I live I'll never stop being grateful for your coming into my life and no matter what this is we'll get through it and we'll be stronger and better."
I sent up a quick prayer that this would be true. She quieted down some at the sound of my voice now she just hiccupped in her sleep as she'd fallen off again. I eased my hand out from the cocoon I'd made with the covers and reached for my phone on the nightstand again, speaking as softly as possible so as not to wake her but still enforce steel into my voice I gave my command.
"Come to the compound now and bring your sidekick with you."
"Shane.... what?"
"Now!" I cut her father off and hung up.
"It's okay baby we'll figure it out." I brushed the hair back off her face and closed my eyes for a moment of peace.
Chapter 16
Prince of The City
Hoping that she'd stay asleep long enough for me to do what needed to be done I went to answer the door. I didn't even want to leave her for the few minutes it took to do that but at least I had the monitor with me.
My first sight of the two reprobates had me seeing red; my first inclination was to wrap my hands around their fucking throats and squeeze but I wouldn't get any answers that way so I reeled it in.
"Flanagan, what the fuck?"
"What happened to her mother?" No preambles; I didn't have time for that shit, I wanted answers, needed them in fact and now. I saw the faltered steps in both men; the little sideways look that was fleeting but not quick enough for me to miss.
They brushed pass me to get inside still not uttering a word; that's not how this was going to go down; I've been pretty lenient with these fuckers up 'til now but I had no problem showing them why I was who I am for so long, family or not, when it comes to her all fucking bets are off; and that bullshit I witnessed this morning had to be dealt with. I needed to get to the bottom of this shit so I could help my girl deal with whatever the fuck was up. These fucks lied to me, when I told them there was something in her head they fucking played it down they had to have known that whatever this was, it was bad.
"Start talking motherfuckers and no beating around the bush and before you start this is not Shane you're talking to, this is Flanagan, know the fucking difference."
"Alright calm down young'un."
"Don't fucking tell me to calm the fuck down...just tell me what I want to know, what happened to her mother and no bullshit."
"You have to give us a minute here son, this isn't easy for us either you know."
"You're a grown fucking man Rossi, right now I don't give a shit about you, I do care about the nineteen year old girl that had a fucking breakdown of monumental proportions not too long ago, now you two think you can get your heads out of your asses long enough to tell me what the fuck is going on here?"
"Shit, we knew this day might come Roberto, it was only a matter of time..."
"Hey Alphonso; don't talk to him, talk to me, what the fuck happened to her?"
"We'll tell you son, but I'm gonna need a drink for this." He went to the sidebar and poured a stiff scotch while Rossi found a seat and sat with his head in his hands. All these theatrics just made me nervous as fuck I mean what could make two die-hard mobsters this shaken? Rossi looked like he was barely gonna make it and Alphonso wasn't faring much better.
I watched them with bated breath knowing that whatever was coming next was going to be some horrible shit and that somehow at the end of it, I was going to have to pick up the pieces for my girl; I didn't mind that so much I just wanted to know what the fuck so I could get started fixing shit.
"Arianna saw her mother die."
Well fuck me; Rossi divulged that information in the voice of a man who'd aged fifty years since he came through my door ten minutes ago. I hardened myself enough to withstand what was coming next; I didn't utter a word just waited for one or the other to pick up the story because I knew there had to be more.
"She was only three, at first we thought she'd forgotten that night, but as time went on she started acting strange though she'd never mention it, just little things that told us it was affecting her ya know?"
"Like what?"
"You know, she'd act out, have these horrible tantrums, sometimes she'd scream and scream and when we asked her what the problem was she'd say nothing or she didn't remember. We messed around with taking her to a shrink for a while but in the end it was too risky. Back then there were things
going on that we couldn't afford to let out of our circle, who knew what she would share with a stranger and what he might do with it? We couldn't trust our own guys at the time and there was no way we could risk an unknown, you know the deal, it was a fucked up time."
I wanted to be mad at him but the reality was in our line of business there were sometimes hard choices that had to me made, it was for shit, but I understood.
"What did she see?"
Rossi put up his hand as if to ward me off, his other hand went to his stomach as if in pain. If he was having a hard time telling the rest of the story I could only imagine what she'd been living with in her head all these years.
"It's okay Roberto I'll tell him the rest."
"She saw her mother lose her head."
Alphonso said it quickly like he had to get the taste out of his mouth, the words slammed into my body like blows from a two by four. Now it all made sense, a lot of things fell into place for me with that one sentence.
"Did you get them?"
They knew what I meant by that, I think I already knew the answer though and if I was right I was gonna have to change my stance on some things; looked like I wasn't quite through being me yet, fuck.
"The one who called the hit yeah; but not the one who carried it out, we got most of the men who were there that night, but the one they named for the actual beheading we were never able to find him; he flew the coop, like the fucking wind, trust me we never stopped looking but we thought after all this time she'd forgotten."
"She hasn't forgotten shit, she's been eliminating him her whole fucking life, do you not notice a pattern in her kills; she always goes for the head."
Fuck me, I have a pregnant vigilante on my hands, she's not gonna stop, not because she doesn't want to, or because she wants to disobey me, but because it's damn near impossible for her to stop, until I find this fucker and take his ass out she's always going to be avenging her mother one way or the other.
The Assassin (The Spitfire Book 3) Page 7
